middle voice from πρός and καλέω; to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite:--call (for, to, unto).
Transliteration:proskaléomai
Pronunciation:pros-kal-eh'-om-ahee
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb προσκαλέομαι (proskaléomai, `{{G4341}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to" or "towards," and the verb καλέω (kaleō, `{{G2564}}`), meaning "to call." Crucially, it appears almost exclusively in the New Testament in the middle voice, which indicates that the action of "calling" is performed by the subject for their own benefit or involves the subject in a particular way. Thus, the fundamental meaning of προσκαλέομαι is "to call to oneself," "to summon," or "to invite to come near."
Its semantic range encompasses a purposeful and often authoritative summons. It is not a casual call, but an intentional act of bringing someone or a group into one's presence, typically for a specific purpose such as instruction, commissioning, judgment, or counsel. The nuance of "to oneself" highlights the directness and personal nature of the summons.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Προσκαλέομαι appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts, particularly in contexts where Jesus or the apostles are gathering individuals or groups for instruction or commissioning.
A prominent usage is Jesus's calling of His disciples. For instance, in [[Matthew 10:1]], "And when He had called to Him His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits..." Similarly, [[Mark 3:13]] states, "And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him." These instances underscore Jesus's divine initiative and authority in selecting and commissioning those who would follow Him and participate in His ministry. The act of "calling to Himself" signifies the establishment of a personal relationship and a specific purpose for their lives.
The term is also used when Jesus calls the multitudes to Himself for teaching. In [[Mark 7:14]], "And He called the crowd to Him again and said to them, 'Hear Me, all of you, and understand.'" Here, the summons is for the purpose of imparting truth and wisdom, demonstrating Jesus's role as the authoritative teacher. Again, in [[Mark 8:1]], Jesus "called His disciples to Him" before miraculously feeding the four thousand, showing His care and provision for the gathered crowd.
Beyond Jesus's direct actions, προσκαλέομαι is employed in other significant contexts. In [[Acts 5:40]], the Sanhedrin "called the apostles in" to flog them and forbid them from speaking in the name of Jesus, illustrating a summons for judicial or punitive purposes. Likewise, in [[Acts 6:2]], the twelve apostles "called the full number of the disciples together" to address the issue of daily distribution, demonstrating a leadership function of gathering the community for organizational purposes. Pilate also uses this verb when he "called the chief priests and the rulers and the people together" in [[Luke 23:13]] to declare Jesus's innocence.
In each case, the one doing the calling exercises a degree of authority or initiative, and the purpose of the summons is clear and intentional.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the base verb καλέω (kaleō, `{{G2564}}`), which means "to call" in a more general sense, encompassing invitations, naming, or summoning. Προσκαλέομαι adds the crucial directional nuance of "to oneself," specifying the target of the call.
Other compounds of καλέω that share some semantic space include:
* συγκαλέω (sygkaleō, `{{G4779}}`): "to call together" or "to summon jointly." This emphasizes the collective nature of the summons, often for a meeting or assembly, as seen in [[Luke 15:6]] where the shepherd "calls together his friends and his neighbors."
* ἐκκαλέω (ekkaléō): While not a common New Testament word, if it were, it would imply "to call out from" a group.
The concept of a "call" in biblical theology is deeply significant, often referring to God's divine initiative in election, salvation, or commissioning for service. Προσκαλέομαι specifically highlights the personal and direct nature of this divine summons, as opposed to a general invitation. It is intimately connected with the themes of discipleship, divine sovereignty, and the formation of the believing community.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of προσκαλέομαι is profound, particularly in the context of Christ's ministry. It underscores the active and intentional nature of God's engagement with humanity.
1. **Divine Initiative and Authority:** When Jesus "calls to Himself" individuals or crowds, it is an act of sovereign authority. He does not wait for people to come to Him by chance; He actively summons them. This highlights His divine prerogative to select, instruct, and commission. It speaks to the truth that salvation and discipleship begin with God's gracious call, not human seeking.
2. **Personal Relationship and Purpose:** The "to oneself" aspect of the verb emphasizes the personal nature of the summons. Jesus calls individuals into a direct relationship with Him, not merely to an abstract idea or a distant command. This call is always purposeful, leading to a specific role in God's kingdom, whether it be discipleship, healing, or receiving instruction.
3. **Formation of the Community:** Προσκαλέομαι is foundational to understanding the formation of the early Christian community. Jesus's calling of the Twelve and later the wider body of disciples was the very act by which His church began to take shape. It signifies the divine gathering of a people for God's redemptive purposes.
4. **Response to the Call:** While the verb emphasizes the caller's initiative, it implicitly demands a response from the called. The disciples "came to Him" when He called, demonstrating obedience and willingness to follow. This dynamic between divine summons and human response is central to the biblical narrative of faith.
### Summary
Προσκαλέομαι (proskaléomai, `{{G4341}}`) is a Greek verb signifying a purposeful and often authoritative "calling to oneself" or "summoning." Its middle voice construction emphasizes the initiator's direct involvement and benefit from the action. In the New Testament, it frequently describes Jesus's actions in calling His disciples for commissioning and the multitudes for instruction, underscoring His divine initiative and authority. It also appears in contexts where leaders summon others for various purposes, from judicial proceedings to community organization. Theologically, προσκαλέομαι highlights God's sovereign call, the personal nature of His relationship with humanity, and the foundational act of gathering His people for redemptive purposes, demanding a responsive obedience from those who are called.
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